They haven’t seen each other for four years. He’s been serving in the Special Forces. She’s finished college. They’ve had time to move on. Neither one has.

Now there’s a death threat. Her family’s business has pissed off a drug cartel. Her life’s in danger.

They’re thrown together, on the run. He has to keep her safe. From everyone. Including himself.

NOTE: Undeniable is a standalone hot adult romance. It’s the fifth story in the Beg for It series—which can be read in any order—about the dominant, alpha males in the Kavanaugh family and the strong, sexy women who make them finally meet their match.

I took a step back, blending into the darkest shadows, but it was as if she alone saw me. She looked right up into my eyes with a shy smile, then left the center of the party to come stand by my side. Looking out the open window, her dress fluttered slightly in the breeze. I caught a waft of her scent, like roses in spring.

“Are you keeping us safe tonight?” she asked in a low voice, as if it were just the two of us in on a big secret. I knew it must be how she always was, her M.O. She could probably charm the pants off of anyone she wanted. But that smile? It felt like it was just for me.

I nodded. It wasn’t in the job description for security guards to chat up the guests. I was there to protect and serve, not fraternize. But still she kept on.

“It’s such a nice night tonight. I almost feel like I’m wasting it, in here at this party. I feel like I want to head out, do something different. I don’t know, walk down to the beach or—”

“Don’t go down there by yourself.” I found myself cautioning her. It wasn’t really my responsibility, but what was this crazy talk about heading out alone into the night?

“Why not?” She laughed, light and bubbling up around my dark scowl. “Do you think it’s dangerous?” she teased.

“Yes,” I answered, certain that I knew what I was talking about. She might live in a world of diamonds and rainbows, but I didn’t.

“Really?” She tilted her head to the side, looking up at me, studying my face as if trying to memorize it. She shouldn’t look so fascinated. “I guess that’s your job. Do you see danger all over?” she asked expectantly. “Even right here?” We stood inches away from each other in the darkness. I could close the distance in half a second. She faced far more danger than she would ever know.

“Yes,” I answered, low, gruff and even more convinced. “You should be over in the middle of the party.” It came out rougher than I’d intended, but it was better for her that way. She shouldn’t be over with me lurking in the shadows. Bad things happened to good girls like her when they strayed off the path with men like me.

She looked down, her excitement dampened. “Sorry, I don’t know why I’m over here talking to you like this.”

I took a step back, putting distance between us, crossing my arms up over my chest as an additional barrier. It made no sense that my fingers itched to reach out and stroke her soft curls, caress her slender neck. Better to curl them into fists instead. But I couldn’t help myself from reassuring her a little.

“S’all right, princess.”

That got her attention. “I’m not a princess,” she insisted, a spark in her eyes.

“Yes, you are,” I answered, firm and unyielding. It was true, whether she knew it or not.

“I’m Gigi.” She introduced herself, extending her delicate, pale hand in the moonlight. I looked down at it, keeping my hands to myself. Wrapping her soft skin in my steel grip, it would feel too damn good. Instead, I gave her a brief nod, then returned my attention to the party behind her. My job.

“What’s your name?” she asked, sounding shy but determined.

I looked back down at her. “Dom.”

Damn if she didn’t gaze up at me like she wanted to spend the rest of the night tucked right there in the corner with me. That spelled all kinds of trouble for all kinds of reasons. Number one on the list? The fact that I wanted nothing more than that. Except getting her alone and all to myself. That would be even better.

So I tore my eyes away and ignored her. Arms crossed against my chest, I looked over to my right, my left, anywhere but where she stood there so lovely and radiant and fucking breathtaking.

“I’m glad to meet you, Dom.” She placed a hand on my forearm and my stomach clenched it felt so good. She leaned in, stretching up to my ear where she whispered, “thanks for keeping me safe.”

She turned and walked back into the throng of the party. I devoured the sight of her smooth skin, the hollow of her lower back in that revealing dress. She had no idea how far from safe she really was.

Callie Harper writes hot, fun, page-turning romances. She is powered by coffee, wickedly sexy bad boys, and all things funny, intentional or otherwise. Born on the East Coast where she learned the joys of fast-paced sarcastic banter, she and her family are now kickin’ it in the West Coast sunshine. On any given day there’s a good chance you’ll find Callie outdoors enjoying the gorgeous Bay Area, but if she’s indoors she’ll likely be reading, writing or eating, preferably all at once.